Chapter 342: Party



The practical exams for second-year students and above were regarded as one of the most dangerous events held at the academy.

Designed to evaluate a student’s overall capabilities in real-world conditions, the system didn’t shy away from simulating unpredictable dangers-sometimes pushing students to the very brink.

The risks were so severe that death was considered a real possibility, leading many to believe that the academy’s trials were even more perilous than those faced by mercenaries or adventurers in the field.

However, ever since Principal Leilah took charge and led the academy for the past few decades, the number of casualties during these practicals had significantly decreased.

Thanks to her reforms and stringent safety measures, what was once an infamous bloodbath had become a more controlled-though still brutal-assessment of strength and survival skills.

“Huff!-Huff!”

Heavy, rhythmic breathing echoed through the air as a massive figure powered through his morning jog.

His towering, muscular frame was hard to ignore, his broad shoulders and well-defined arms making him appear more like a walking fortress than a student.

The sharpness in his eyes, combined with his iconic buzz-cut hairstyle, gave him an even more imposing presence.

As he ran, students who passed by instinctively stiffened, either shrinking back or making an effort to avoid crossing his path.

Some whispered in hushed voices, while others simply averted their gazes.

Kagami, fully aware of the fear his presence invoked, merely scoffed. He had long since grown used to it.

“It’s been a while since we last saw each other, but… what’s up with you?” Kagami asked, glancing at the young man beside him.

Despite matching his pace perfectly, Riley looked completely unbothered-his expression as calm as ever, his breathing steady and controlled.

It was quite the contrast to Kagami, who was already feeling the burn of their intense jog.

“Hm? What do you mean?” Riley responded, his tone casual, as if he wasn’t pushing himself at all.

“Tsk, don’t play dumb now,” Kagami muttered, narrowing his eyes. “I knew you were secretly strong, but not to this level… Was the last time we jogged together just an act?”

He couldn’t help but recall their runs during the previous semester.

Back then, Riley had always been a capable guy, but stamina-wise, he wasn’t on this level. Kagami distinctly remembered him sweating, even stopping to catch his breath a few times. But now? Not a single drop of sweat. He was keeping up effortlessly-without using mana, no less.

At this point, Kagami was tempted to start using mana himself, if only to win the unspoken race that had formed in his head.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, bro,” Riley said, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “Maybe you’re just getting tired. Need some rest, perhaps?”

“…You’re joking, right?” Kagami’s eye twitched, a vein popping on his forehead.

Annoyed by Riley’s teasing, he suddenly pushed himself forward, increasing his speed as he sprinted ahead.

In mere moments, he was weaving through the other joggers, leaving them in the dust. Watching his friend take off, Riley let out a small chuckle, shaking his head.

‘He’s so easy to rile up.’

With a small amused smile, he picked up his pace, subtly increasing his speed as he chased after Kagami.

….

“Haah…! Haaa!”

Slumped on a bench, Kagami gasped for breath, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

His entire body felt like it was on fire, and his legs ached like hell.

Worse yet, a wave of nausea threatened to overtake him.

He hadn’t eaten breakfast that morning, and now, with nothing but stomach acid swirling in his gut, the burning sensation in his throat was even more unbearable.

“You shouldn’t have run off like that…”

A familiar voice reached his ears, steady and unhurried.

Riley had finally caught up, looking as composed as ever, without even the slightest sign of exhaustion.

As he approached, he casually held out a canteen in front of Kagami.

Without hesitation, Kagami grabbed it and chugged down the water, gulping greedily. The cool liquid soothed his throat, washing away the bitterness of bile threatening to rise.

“Tsk… It’s a matter of pride…” he muttered in between deep breaths.

“I didn’t think you’d be one to care about such things,” Riley remarked with a light chuckle.

“I wouldn’t have… if the one I was running with wasn’t you.”

“Hm?” Riley tilted his head in mild confusion, but Kagami just scoffed, waving him off.

“Forget it…”

Riley was already a fine warrior-a damn good one at that. He was strong, powerful, and good-looking to boot.

No matter how one looked at him, he was the perfect representation of a top student at the academy.

He excelled in combat, stood out among his peers, and, to top it all off, he was incredibly

popular with the girls.

And not just any girls.

The kind of girls who were the very definition of beauty-goddesses among the academy’s students.

The kind of girls who wouldn’t even spare most guys a second glance, yet somehow, they all seemed to gravitate toward Riley.

Kagami had never been the type to be jealous, nor did he care much about things outside of

combat.

But if there was one thing he could silently take pride in when standing next to Riley, it was

his speed and stamina.

That was why he couldn’t afford to lose.

Even if it was stupid.

Even if it was childish.

To Kagami, this was his last source of manly pride when competing against his friend.

‘I’m definitely not doing this just to feel better because I’m jealous of this guy’s life…’

Kagami stubbornly reaffirmed his own thoughts, though even he wasn’t entirely convinced by his own reasoning.

Unaware of Kagami’s internal struggle, Riley sat down beside him, completely at ease.

The bench was spacious enough to accommodate three to four people, so despite Kagami’s slightly broader frame, there was still plenty of room.

Kagami gave Riley a sidelong glance before voicing the question that had been nagging at

him since this morning.

“By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask… are you even allowed to be out like this? I figured the academy staff would’ve restricted your movements after that whole incident you caused.”

Riley hummed thoughtfully before responding. “Ah, well, while I can still see some bad blood in the eyes of some of them, most don’t really care anymore. The matter was settled peacefully thanks to the deal Principal Leilah made with both me and Snow, so you don’t have

to worry about it.”

“Is that so?” Kagami muttered, rubbing the back of his head. “Well, I can’t say I believe it, but damn, too bad you couldn’t have stayed out until after the practicals. Would’ve been a perfect

excuse to skip.”

“I’m not exactly a fan of running from exams, so I don’t really mind.”

Kagami clicked his tongue. “Tch. Feelings mutual, then.”

After a refreshing sigh, Kagami tilted his head back and downed the last few drops of water from the canteen before glancing over at Riley, who was casually stretching his arms.

“The fact that you suddenly invited me out for a jog like this… means you want me to do something, right?” Kagami asked, narrowing his eyes.

Riley paused mid-stretch before letting out a small chuckle. “Was it that obvious?”

“Totally.”

“Well, that makes things easier then,” Riley said, straightening up. “Kagami, you don’t have

a party for the practicals yet, right? Come along with me. Let’s clear a dungeon together with

a few others.”

Kagami exhaled sharply through his nose before shaking his head. “That’s true-I don’t have

a party-but I was actually planning to go solo and just hunt monsters.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “My hometown, back in the Eastern Empire, has quite a few monsters that fetch a high price. Not to mention, I can also help out some of the territories my family controls while I’m at it.”

Kagami turned to face Riley, his tone firm but appreciative. “Sorry, Riley. I get that this means a lot to you, and I appreciate the thought, but giving up a chance like that just to clear a dungeon…? It’s not really beneficial for me right now.”

What he didn’t mention, though, was the real reason. His younger siblings were waiting for

him back home.

While Kagami looked every bit the part of a fierce and intimidating warrior, he had a soft spot for his family—especially his younger siblings.

His older brothers and sisters were also eager to train and hunt together again, and he wasn’t

about to let them down.

“Hm? Is that so…?” Riley mused, stretching his arms behind his head. “So you’re saying you won’t come even if the dungeon I’m planning to clear has a Heavenly Divine Pill in its treasury

“Heavenly Divine Pill???!?!??”

“Hey, don’t shout, man,” Riley winced, rubbing his ears.

“But… are you sure it’s the Heavenly Divine Pill? Where’d you even get that information from?” Kagami asked, his eyes wide with both skepticism and barely contained excitement. Riley flashed a knowing smile. “That, my friend, is a trade secret. Just come along, don’t ask too many questions, and the divine pill will be yours. Oh, and to top it off, from what I’ve heard, there’s a whole box of them packed in there…”

Kagami gulped.

Once again, this bastard in front of him was keeping everything to himself—just like last

time.

No explanations.

No details.

Just a vague yet enticing promise.

And yet… for some damn reason, Kagami couldn’t help but trust Riley. After all, if there was

one thing to describe him, it wasn’t liar.

The Heavenly Divine Pill was an elixir-like pill capable of expanding one’s mana veins to their

absolute limits.

For martial artists, it was a treasure beyond measure-something that could help push them past the so-called inner walls that bound their growth.

Even a fraction of a pill could enhance someone’s martial prowess to unimaginable levels.

It was a treasure that Kagami couldn’t afford to ignore.

But-

“Sorry, Riley, but I made a promise to my family to visit—”

“Even if I were to tell you what that certain senior you’ve been eyeing likes?”

Kagami froze.

Riley grinned.

A beat of silence passed.

Then, Kagami suddenly burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! Buddy, I don’t know where you got that information from… but count me in.”

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